Best Scent: This intimate 20-room inn is situated amid 25 acres of organic kitchen gardens and lavender fields. You can volunteer to harvest the fragrant crop alongside the farmer, or just buy spa products infused with its essential oil. Lavender honey is made from the inn’s apiary and is served daily at breakfast.

Best Sunrise: The sun rises over Maui in paradisiacal Hana, and this secluded resort's grounds -- with swaying palm trees and grassy expanses -- is one of the best places to take it in. (Alternatively, you could watch the sunset from a hot tub on your cottage lanai.)

Best Italian-Inspired Gardens: More than 100 years ago, a tycoon built this villa in the Hudson Valley, sparing no expense on its garden, which was designed by one of America’s first female landscape architects, Beatrix Ferrard. The 150 acres remain true to her vision -- an homage to Italy's traditional gardens -- and the hotel was recently restored to its original glory.

Best Garden to Table: Situated across the road from the ocean, 12 little cottages have well-equipped kitchens -- and most of the food you need is right outside your door: There’s a fruit orchard, herb and vegetable gardens, a fish-cleaning station, and hens laying eggs.

Best Outdoor Rooms: The outdoor areas created by landscape architect Judy Kameon as a series of private nooks surrounded by plants (as well as fire pits, petanque courts, and two lush, relaxing pool areas) rival the modern interiors by Jonathan Adler.